The mission of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is to foster opportunities for businesses to grow and for communities to succeed and thrive in a global economy. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania citizens while assuring transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds.

Harrisburg, PA — Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced new funding assistance for community development and affordable housing activities to address the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“COVID-19 has had a major impact on communities across Pennsylvania, and this funding will serve as a critical resource for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents,” said Sec. Davin. “By working together with the federal government, we can safeguard the health and wellbeing of individuals across the commonwealth.”

On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law the CARES Act to provide immediate and direct relief to individuals struggling as a result of the COVID-19 global health pandemic. The CARES Act includes supplemental allocations of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs where a total of $5 billion will be made available under the Community Development Fund for prevention, preparation, and response to the coronavirus and $4 billion in Homeless Assistance Grants to aid individuals and families who are homeless and to prevent homelessness resulting from impacts created by the coronavirus.

These funds will be made available from HUD and released in three tranches. DCED received an appropriation of $24,691,407 in the first tranche for distribution using its small cities entitlement allocation formula.

Additionally, to combat the effects of homelessness, DCED will receive $19,920,655 million in ESG Cares funding. DCED has released the application and guidelines to accept proposals to subgrant its appropriation under this program. ESG Cares proposals will be accepted from eligible applicants though June 1, 2020.

DCED continues to update its website with financial and other resources.